NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR DRIVING YOU CRAZY – WHAT DO YOU DO?
NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR DRIVING YOU CRAZY – WHAT DO YOU DO?
IN CHICAGO "CRAZY NEIGHBOR" COMMON FOR MANY CONDO HOME OWNERS – AND RENTERS TOO!
The upstairs neighbor with the sub-woofer on his hardwood floor who likes old "Terminator" movies. The guy next door in the construction trades who considers his back yard a storage room for all of his spare lumber tile and drywall. Or the sensitive sleeper across the hall who complains your TV is too loud – at 7PM each night!
We’ve all heard of – or more likely experienced examples of poor neighborliness in our lifetimes. The problem is – what can you do about it especially if the offending neighbor is not cooperative?
One method has been used by local police for years – simple "cool down in your corner" negotiation.
If in a non-criminal way of course one neighbor is chronically offending others the police would be called. Often police officers would force negotiation on the front porch or the hallway. If no resolution they imply they’ll have to go to court to hack things out – a very costly time-consuming procedure and one to be avoided of course.
In Chicago Suburban Des Plaines IL and in many other communities police use this Alternative Dispute Resolution Program to hopefully solve problems between neighbors. Some communities may have additional dispute resolution procedures and guidelines as well.
For some disputes that prove annoying – the neighbor’s dog barking at all hours the fellow next door’s stereo playing hip-hop at 2AM on Tuesday morning – arbitration is sometimes the answer. In the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago nearly 50 towns and some unincorporated areas belong to the Northwest Municipal Conference. They provide trained professional arbitrators through the Center for Conflict Resolution of Chicago.
Independent mediators would calmly negotiate a written settlement sometimes for an Arbitration Fee. The municipality becomes involved again should discussions here fail. However often times a face-to-face meeting solves the problem – hopefully long-term.
Mark Fowler Executive Director of the NWMC says the key is to keep talking – calmly – to resolve inter-neighbor disputes. "If they can’t do that then they should contact their municipality and see if there’s some services that they may be able to provide. If it’s an ordinance violation it’s pretty clear-cut what’s allowed and what isn’t. But if it’s a dispute over behavior there are options available."
Their are other options to consider as well in this Web 2.0 age. Before you move in check out the website RottenNeighbor.com an online forum where folks can post information good or bad about their neighbors. FamilyWatchdog.us is among several sites that list registered sex offenders by area.
And of course good neighbors begin with yourself and your own family. Respecting and maintaining your own property as well as the concerns of those next door can stop potential disputes before they begin. Reaching out to neighbors socially – with a neighborhood Open House or BBQ or Holiday Party – can break the ice as well and land some new friends right next door or down the block.
See William Hageman’s article in last Sunday’s Chicago Tribune for more information.
DEAN MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
